Closing the Book?

Newark Mayor Corey Booker, widely seen as a rising star in Democratic Politics, suffered a humiliating setback as his candidate for Central Ward Democratic Chairman pulled a Big Brown and came in dead last. He also lost out in the South Ward where candidates backed by Rep. Donald Payne made strong showings. Booker has failed to back a winning candidate in a Newark election since taking over as mayor.

His alliance with Essex County Power Broker Steve Audubato, who backed the winner, is at a low ebb and he could be vulnerable in his re-election bid. We could be witnessing the dramatic fall from grace for Booker, who is often pegged for higher office. Defeats in multiple Newark wards could foreshadow the formation of a new alliance to oust Booker from power in 2010.